April 29th Peace and Rotary

This week, we welcomed David Wick for a powerful presentation on Rotary’s role in advancing peace around the world.

At the heart of his message was a reminder that peacebuilding is not a side project for Rotary, it is core to who we are. Since 1910, Rotary has focused on fostering international understanding, goodwill, and peace. Every service project, whether it is eradicating polio, supporting education, or providing vocational training, contributes to creating conditions where peace can take root.

A bold vision shared during the presentation was the “Peace on Earth by 2030” moonshot, an initiative developed by the Empowerment Institute. The concept is surprisingly practical: reaching just one half of one percent of the global population with intentional peace practices could create a tipping point for lasting change.

This effort includes two key strategies:

• The Peace Game, which introduces seven daily practices individuals can adopt to build peace in their own lives
• Peace Zones, where entire communities commit to applying these practices collectively

Pilot programs are already underway in parts of the U.S. East Coast and the Bahamas, showing early momentum.

Rotary’s existing peace infrastructure is already significant. With over 1,800 Peace Fellows trained through Rotary Peace Centers, a long-standing partnership with the United Nations, and more than 50 Rotary representatives working within UN programs, the organization continues to play a meaningful global role. Efforts like international peace parks and Rotarian-supported medical missions further demonstrate that impact.

Closer to home, we also heard about the development of the Oregon Coast Peace Trail, a project that will promote reflection and connection along a safer coastal route, ultimately ending in Ashland.

The takeaway was clear: peace is not abstract. It is built through consistent, local actions that scale globally. Rotary is already doing the work, and there is room for all of us to be part of it.

If you missed it you can find recordings of our meetings posted (may take a few days) on our YouTube page https://www.youtube.com/@MedfordRogueRotary-j6y